In-depth coverage and analysis of the weekend's box office totals from einsiders.com.

Monday, October 13, 2008

'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' stays top dog with $17.5m, Oct. 10-12, 2008

Disney's little dog with a big bite, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, once again nabbed the top spot at the box office, beating out four major new releases this weekend, including ScreenGems' horror-thriller Quarantine and Leo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe's Body of Lies.

In what was a very impressive sophomore outing, Disney's talking animal comedy Beverly Hills Chihuahua surprised in holding onto the top spot, adding another $17.5 million this weekend. Falling a modest 40%, the PG-rated Buena Vista release has grossed now $52.5 million. With little in the way of direct competition in the next couple of weeks, look for the dog pic to make a serious run at $100 million domestic.

In second was Sony's horror thriller Quarantine, which locked down $14.2 million, averaging a strong $5,770 in 2,461 theaters. Reviews for the $12 million film were surprisingly positive, with 64% of critics polled by Rottentomatoes.com giving the film a "fresh" recommendation.

Ridley Scott's thriller Body of Lies disappointed in third with $13.1 million, averaging $4,841 in 2,710 theaters. Starring box office heavyweights Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, Lies was largely projected to top the box office in its debut weekend. Instead, mixed reviews and a not-so-compelling marketing campaign from Warner Bros. doomed the $70 million budgeted pic.

Rounding out the top five was Sony's $10 million budgeted teen romantic comedy Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, which brought in another $6.5 million this weekend. In ten days the film has grossed a healthy $20.8 million.

Universal's football biopic The Express debuted with just $4.7 million in sixth. Documenting the life of Heisman-winning running back Earnie Davis, the well-reviewed film generated muted interest from moviegoers.

Rounding out the top ten was Fox's fantasy pic City of Ember, which took in just $3.2 million this weekend. Averaging a dire $1,583 in 2,022 theaters, the film received mixed reviews from critics.